Chairwoman María Elvira Salazar (FL-27) convened a public hearing as head of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere to discuss serious threats facing Honduras’s democracy ahead of its upcoming elections. In Washington, D.C., Salazar also held a press conference to raise concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.
“Honduras must hold free, fair, and transparent elections. No intimidation, no colectivos, no stolen actas, and no foreign interference,” said Chairwoman Salazar. “The voters of Honduras are at a crossroads. All I am saying is do not elect a communist. The eye of the United States is upon Honduras this November 30th.”
Testimony during the hearing came from Carlos Trujillo, former U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of American States; Deborah Ullmer, Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean at the National Democratic Institute; and Enrique Roig, Vice President of External Affairs at Human Rights First. They outlined growing issues such as political interference, weakened institutions, corruption, and external authoritarian influence that could impact the credibility of Honduras’s elections.
Salazar highlighted that the United States should not remain silent as Honduras faces increasing anti-democratic pressures before its vote. She noted that how these elections are conducted will affect governance and security across Central America.
After the hearing, Salazar addressed reporters to assert her view that Honduras’s government is undermining democratic structures by adopting practices seen in Cuba and Venezuela and warned this could lead to fraudulent elections.
She reiterated Congress’s support for Hondurans seeking free and fair voting processes. Salazar stated that her subcommittee would continue to monitor events in Honduras closely and use diplomatic or legislative measures as needed to uphold democracy in the region.
A recording of today’s hearing is available online.
